Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has described Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as not genuine recognition, but as a “trap” for Somaliland.
In an interview with the Miisaan Podcast on Dawan, President Hassan Sheikh said that Israel’s move does not change the Somali government’s position on the unity and territorial integrity of Somaliland.
This statement comes at a time when Israel’s recognition of Somaliland on December 26, 2025, has sparked a major diplomatic crisis, with Somalia, Arab countries, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation describing the move as damaging to Somalia’s independence and unity.
Israel became the first country that officially recognize Somaliland, which declared its unliteral independence from Somalia in 1991, but none has provided any international recognition for more than three decades.
The president said that this new development is one of the most serious events that could affect the future of Somalia and the Horn of Africa region as a whole.
He noted that all world governments, except Israel, still recognize Somaliland as part of Somalia, and there has been no significant change in the international community’s position on the unity of Somalia.
“Somaliland has not received recognition for thirty-some years, and it is not getting it, and this is not recognition, it is a trap,” the president said.
Hassan Sheikh said that the Somali government has always preferred dialogue and consensus to resolve the Somaliland issue, rather than using military force or measures that could further distance the two sides.
He said that for more than three decades, attempts have been made to reach a political solution through dialogue, and the federal government still believes that this path is the most appropriate way to preserve the unity of the country.
The president also revealed that Israel has previously established contact with the Somali government.
He said that Israel has requested several times for the two countries to establish formal diplomatic relations, but Somalia has not accepted these requests.
“Israel has approached us several times and wanted to establish relations. We told them that at that time this was not appropriate,” he said.
The president said that Somalia’s position is clear, we will protect and behold the territorial integrity and the unity of Somalia. He also mentioned that the issue of Somaliland can only be solved through national referendum and dialogue between the federal entities and the successions Somaliland administration.
Written by: Omar Ahmed Malin